Another Road Block In Air Bags Recall

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Twenty-four hours after the U.S. government issued an urgent plea to more than 4.7 million people to get the air bags in their cars fixed, consumers are experiencing yet another road block in the process.

Multiple automakers have recalled vehicles in the U.S. during the past two years to repair air bag inflators made by Takata Corp., a Tokyo-based supplier of seat belts, air bags, steering wheels and other auto parts. Flying shrapnel from exploding airbags has led to four deaths and 30 injuries. The danger is far greater in Texas and other warm weather states where humidity can trigger a blast.

“These airbags are ticking time bombs and any one of them could go off at any time,” said Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, who blames the lapse in customer service on the system.

Calls to an operator on the agency’s hotline — 1-888-327-4236 — aren’t getting through either. A message tells people “a customer service representative will return your call within one business day.”

CBS News has compiled the following list of vehicles impacted by the recall: